LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

Has anyone used the Barix clinic in Phila? :)

I got my band 1/23/06 and I'm feeling great. I have lost 27 lbs so far. I'm still on a liquid diet. My first day to eat soft foods is super bowl so I'm excited about that. Anyway I think the band is the best thing I could have done and now I look forward to the rest of my journey. It's nice to see all the support from this site.

I've been thinking a lot about this the last few days. I went to my counselor last week and I was recounting an event that happened the weekend before with my brother's friends. They treat me differently and flirt with me while before they were always kind but distant. This makes me feel strange. My extended family tells me every time they see me how fantastic I look and that I have a glow about me now. Strangers tell me that they love my hair or that I have beautiful eyes. This REALLY makes me feel strange. All of the attention- from men or women- I receive now is wonderful, but again, it makes me feel strange. I think I figured out what "strange" really is.…

Hi all, I am new to the site and not sure where to put this... I was banded back in May 2004. I have lost about 55kgs and am now about 85kgs - still wanting to lose at least 15-20 kgs. I have read others posts about how slow the weight loss can be. Initially, I lost weight very slowly, then it picked up, and now it is slow again. Part of the reason for it being so slow at the moment is that I appear to have become fixated by all the foods that I CAN eat with the band but SHOULDN'T eg. chocolate, icecream, chips etc.... I went without these for AGES and it seems as though now I have tried them again I can't stop. I have had to had my band loosened recently b…

I have been reading all the posts about problems with the lap band. I ran across an interesting website. The stats are about 4 years old. Does anyone have any newer. http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/statsub.html I found the following there: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TH vAlign=top noWrap align=left>Number of patients </TH><TD noWrap></TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>1,500 (78% female) </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=left><HR>Age (yrs) </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=right><HR> </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap align=left&g…

Everything I read about the band includes the usual disclaimer "the band is just a tool...blah blah blah...don't expect it to change you or make everything in your life better." I know the band is just a tool and I'm still going to have to work my fanny off. But I DO expect it to change me. How could it not? I'm curious - for those who have been banded, do you feel that you have changed inside?

I have been dealing with that damn head hunger for about 3 weeks now and it is really throwing me off. O.K., does this make sense....I have been thinking so much about food AGAIN (like, but not as bad as pre-band days) that I am losing track of what I am eating and what I was just thinking about eating??!!....am I nuts or what? I typically use fitday.com everyday, but it is downloaded on my husband's computer which is not up and running since a new floor is going into his office.....I really miss it and can't wait to start logging my daily food again. But, this is no excuse!!! I hate this friggin' head hunger....hate it, hate it, hate it......why is it rearing it's…

Hi My Fellow Bandsters I Had to Take a Leave from LBT a few months ago but i am happy to say i am BACK!!!!!! Kim

Hello there My name is Sarah and I'm very new to this and I live in the U.K. 2 days ago I received a phone call from my cousin in Portland who told me about the Lap Band operation. He told me to ring Rick Hicks which I did who told me in great detail all about his experience before and after the lap band operation. I'm 39 have always been over weight have tried every diet going (with not much success) I want to know am I making the right decission by going for this Lap band surgery. I know if I don't do something real soon things are going to go bad for me knees and joints are starting to play me up. I want to see my children grow up and I really want to be able to do …

Hi Everyone!!! im new, 19 years old, was banded 3 weeks ago. i just have a little concern, im eating oatmeal now and tuna salad, things like that, but im not always full like i used to be, do you think the band has slipped? Lauren

March 16th is when my body is going to be chopped to pieces and sewn back together again. I am excited but extremely scared. I have to go have some professional befores done and then the same after, plus he organises another appointment before hand to really explain that I know what I am getting myself into and the pain levels. I dont know whether to :clap2: or :cry :phanvan :think .

Sorry, but this is a very long note .... First and foremost, I want to thank everyone on this site for their honesty of the lapband process and their openness. It has been invaluable. I haven't been here for awhile. I just got my letter of approval from my insurance company (Priority Health-Grand Rapids Michigan) yesterday. I'm soooooo excited, I couldn't really believe what I was seeing. With the way everyone was saying how difficult it was to get insurance to cover it, I was really doubting it would ever be covered. Especially when I was denied the first time (only due to incorrect paperwork provided to the insurance carrier). The practice who provided the incorrect …

I am starting the saving and loan process to accumulate the funds to have the lap band, went to a seminar last night and finally made the decision to have the surgery but the only question left is..........Does it hurt when you get a fill?????????? Thanks Buck100

I recently had read some other posts about being in pain when they eat, after a fill etc.. but my situation is slightly different and wondering if any one else had gone through this and/or knows what it might be. I had posted about 1 month after being banded because I had no restriction and had lost only the initial liqued diet lbs. and of coarse I was reasurred that I wouldn't have restriction until AFTER my first fill and maybe more, BUT about a week later I did start having restriction, in fact ive have been banded 2 months and have not gotten a fill because im having a really hard time eating as it is, and its not easing up. When I eat no mater how much i chew it…

I am considering having the Adjustable Lap Band Surgery by Dr. Pedro Santiago Kuri in Tijuana. I have read that you can expect to lose 67% of the amount you are overweight. I am somewhat disappointed by that statistic and wondering if this is true and also if this is true is surgery worth the risk? Also any information from patients of Dr. Kuri would be great. :phanvan

Does anyone experience restriction with their first fill? All I read are posts stating that the first fill does nothing. Am I drawing the wrong conclusion, or what? I have to travel quite far for my fills so I am hoping like crazy that I will feel something with my first fill, because I am in serious need of some restriction right now.

Read this about yoga for fat people. http://www.startribune.com/1244/story/207822.html I never go to a gym because of my weight and also because of my disability. Can't use most of the machines anyway. I don't think they have one of these classes around here but I am going to find out. Has anyone with a spine disability done Yoga? Can it be done?

I got banded with Dr Lopez January 9th and have not lost any weight at all I was wondering if any one else has had an expierience like this I think that I need a fill I eat much less...

On Monday I go in for my psch eval and nutritionist visit. Which is costing me around $500 out of pocket. I just had a thought come to me, I don't know if Medicare will be approving this!! I didn't even think to ask as I assumed they would. But now I am hearing about others denied!! Beyond the fact that I will be losing all that money (which is food and rent money for me) the thought tha this won't happen for me is devastating.:faint: Thoughts?

I am wondering if anyone else out there shares the same problem I have? I am pretty darn short waisted and two of my incisions are right at my waistband. I know one was just an access point for the doc's instrument, but one of the sites is my port. Anyone experience this? What kind of problems if any have you had w/your port site because of the constant rubbing and pressure?

I had a fill yesterday...went to a concert and felt horrible afterwards (though I think it was probably because i didn't have anything to eat all day) and this afternoon I am running a fever. Could this be band related? Or just bad timing?

ok Ill take any advice!!!

Things are moving fast with my lapband and Im glad!!!Monday Jan. 23 went to first seminar now Wed. Feb 1 meet with psycologist and take behavioral assessment test....then I will get a SURGERY DATE:clap2: But since im self paying we wont have to wait on insurance then one more app.meet with the dr and nutritist!!!!I feel like im on cloud nine!!!!

I'm almost 6 weeks post op and have tried some baguette bread and find I do not have a problem with it. Lots of info says to avoid bread. Is this just because of nutrition value? Will I still be able to tolerate bread after I get my first fill? Send your experiences!! Thanks NVanDev

This seems strange to me, but does anyone else get really gassy after a fill or when you hit your sweet spot? My doctor adjusted my fill this last Thursday and it is perfect, however I have had horrible gas pains in my back and shoulders...like after my band surgery. It is definitely gas pains because it is not there all the time, in the same place always, and I can get relief by stretching and moving. Has anyone else 'blown-up' after a fill? Thanks -Debra

Hello everyone, I am new, not banded and in the researching phase. Do you guys ever hear from bandsters that were done 6-7 years ago. I just wonder how most of them are doing? I am like most of you, really worried about paying for complications. Is it worth it?

Hi all, I have been reading a lot about port infections and the hard time some go through when this happens. It also seems that it makes erosion more likely. I was wondering if there is anything we can do prior to and after surgery to minimize the chance of infections? Vitamin C? Any suggestions would be great. I want to do all I can to avoid this possibility.

Recently, I've realized that when I do get a craving for something, its generally something healthier .. ie, instead of craving chips or pizza, I might crave a bit of tuna, or a salad, or two crackers with cheese. Where I used to would crave chocolate, now I crave grapes or watermelon or the like. I've also found it alot easier lately, when order at a restuarant, to order the grilled salmon or the salad. Used to I would struggle, wanting instead the chicken parma, laden with cheese and a mound of fries .. or the fish in chips, still dripping with grease from the vat lol. Now those don't even sound good to me for some reason. Oh, I still have the very occassional da…

I have surgery set for Wed so today is the start of clear liquids. My inlaws invited us over for supper today! What were they thinking? So I am going to take my Isopure drink and watch them. So far so good this morning but I don't normally eat breakfast ~ any pointers? I did find out that I will be staying overnight at the hospital, a huge praise for that. I have to add I love this place, haven't posted much but have read all I can everyday. Y'all are doing so well with it and those with troubles have given me things to double check with my dr.

Good moring, Well this is my fist post. I had the Lap Band surgery in Mexico on Monday. I returned home yesterday. I am looking for people to share my experiece with and also to make sure I'm progressing the way I should. Yesterday the flight home was ok, a little uncomfortable. My husband and I stopped on the way home and I got a bowl of Vegtable beef Soup broth! Big mistake! :phanvan I either drank too much or it was too greasy. We stopped at the store on the way home and I thought I was going to vomit! Fortunately I was able to talk myself out of doing that since I've only vomited two times in my whole life. Anyway suffered all night. I feel much better this morning…

Okay, one more shot at finding a fill doc. I've called his office to ask questions and they are supposed to call me back to schedule an appointment. For those of you who have seen Dr. Rose, what was your experience? Since I'll be driving from Birmingham, AL and I've yet to have a fill, I'm really looking forward to nice restriction. Is he generous with fills? Or more conservative? Will he do free adjustments if you're too tight? I see that he's the chief of surgery and I've read up on his credentials, so I'm looking for more personal experiences. Thanks in advance! :peace:

I had a great time meeting everyone today. I hope to see you next month. :hungry:

I had my consultation earlier this week. When I asked what band my surgeon would use, he told me he couldn't be sure until he "got in there", but that he would guess a Vanguard 10cc band. As I've been reading through stories of his past patients, there seems to be a trend among them that the more weight you have to lose, the higher capacity band you receive. Does anyone know if this is just me seeing a relationship that isn't there, or if that does have something to do with it?

Two things I need to vent about...and I am wondering if anyone else maybe feels the same way... 1. Why is it that people feel it is ok to ask you what you weighed prior to surgery and/or how much weight you have lost? Why do they feel they need to know specific numbers? It is obvious that the amount I have lost is significant....I just don't get it. 2. I have a very close friend who had the lapband about a year before I did. When I told her I was having it done she was very supportive. When she was losing her weight I always commented on how great she looked and congratulated her on her progress. Well now that I have had my surgery she never says anything to me at al…

Hello! I'm not banded yet, going through the insurance/consultation process, but I'm trying to change some of my habits ahead of time. I generally consume lots of sweet fruit juices, sodas, sweet tea, etc. and very little, if any water(not a fan). I'm trying to drink water with Crystal Light (the One the Go Packets). Can this count as my 64 ounces of water a day? I know each pack has 10 calories, and I'm keeping that in mind for when I really need to count calories after the surgery. Are there any other non-carbonated/low calorie drinks out their that you guys like? I haven't had a carbonated beverage or sweet tea in a couple of weeks! I'm so proud!

Well, I have a tentative diagnosis. The interist thinks it is very likely that I have cushing's syndrome. So, I go for a new round of tests Friday to find out what kind I have, so i can start a treatment plan. I'm in a weird place. This sort of makes it real, but yet not real. I don't want to go to work, but well, I have to. I just want to go to bed and sleep, which is what I usually do when depressed. I thought I'd be happy with an answer, but I have a head ache. My DH reminds me that it is only a tentative dignosis, even if it makes sense. Cushing's Syndrom http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/endo/pubs/cushings/cushings.htm Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder …

Ok, maybe not so huge for others but I finally fit into GAP jeans today. Not only did I have room in them but they were also on sale! Woo hoo!!

The spoon theory is what one woman came up with to describe what it's like living with Lupis. http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/2004/11/the_spoon_theory.php I don't have Lupis, but I do have cronic fatague. I sort of thought everyone one felt like this, that they had a limited amount of things they could accomplish in a day. Her theory broght me to tears, I guess mainly because she is telling my story on one level.

I had my surgery 12/22 and everything went well. I have felt pretty good since with good weight loss. But I worked the other night and since then have had a sharp pain in my stomach. Sometimes it is okay, but other times when I touch the area or sit in a certain position it hurts. The pain is on the left side of my stomach, high up (close to top of ribs). The pain is so tender to the touch, I don't like pressing it. Did anyone else experience a pain (maybe actual stomach/pouch that might be inflamed, or something else in my belly)? My surgeon is about 1000 miles away, but I will see him in a few weeks. I don't want to call unless it is something really abnormal.

I guess this counts. I guess about anything counts if you notice it, right? So here it is… From someone formerly of the Clean Plate Club, I just realized after tossing some of my lunch away today, that I haven’t finished a meal in…weeks maybe? I know that sounds like a big, “duh!” But considering I have had this thing since October and have only GAINED 2 pounds, I have to hold onto something. I think it will get better soon. This last fill seemed to help, and I just might be starting to get the hang of this. Guess I am a very slow learner, (and definitely a slow loser). But at least something seems to be changing. WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

:eek: Every time I go in for a fill, the fill tech never pulls out the amount of fill that should be in my band. The loss is very minimal anywhere from .1cc to .2cc. within a 3 week period of time. Does anyone else experience this and is this normal? Also, what could possibly be causing the loss of Fluid in the band? Thanks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEANIE !!! :happybday2: :flypig: :happybday2: :flypig: :happybday2:

Hi all! I met this gal in Michigan last night at my support meeting. She is 18 months out from her surgery & has lost 142 pounds!!! Isn't that awesome. She looked great. I asked her what some of her pointer would be. She said the following: * Wrap your head around the idea that the weight just won't fall off from the very begining! You must work hard at it through exercise & diet, even w/the band! This just clicked for me after 7 mnths (see LBT Bootcamp) * She started exercising after the first week of surgery & Has never stopped. She only does 3 miles on a tread mill x3 a week. She also walks quickly up & down the stairscases with her daughter betw…

Ok, so lets share snack ideas. I'm a salty food lover, but have had a hard time finding the right Snacks. I've tried baked potato chips (small amts) and they don't sit well with my stomach anymore. I bought some baby carrots the other day, but haven't tried 'em yet. Anyone have any ideas besides yogurt and granola? Obviously looking for Low Cals... would love to hear what you guys are trying!

Does anyone have a doctor referral for the Vancouver, Fraser Valkey area in BC?

Official weight this morning was 277 - down 53 lbs! Yes, I am a slow loser but happy with my progress - lovin' my band!

:help: I have been around for a while but i never post jsut lurk i was banded on 1-18-06 and everything seems ok so far except that i have this very tight feeling in my chest its like a vise grip sometimes and other times its very small. Is this normal after surgery? gas pains were so so but just about gone! im not hungry i try to get food down some yougert jello boost but not much i just cant with this tightness in my chest any suggestions or infor would be awsome! michelle

I am getting very close to needing my first fill I need to find a doctor in Houston Texas :cry

WOOHOO!!!!! I HAD MY FIRST PB!!!!!! HUH?????????????? :girl_hug: :girl_hug: While I am not excited that I actually PB'd, I am excited that I have some real restriction now. My doctor discovered that the PA that filled me the first time, made a mistake and only put in about half of the Fluid that he recorded, the rest went into my subcutaneous layer. So I was not where I needed to be (or where we thought I was) and I was getting so down about how hard I was fighting to not eat larger portions. I was beginning to question my decision to get banded. My fill was adjusted accordingly yesterday and I am good and tight now. So yippee!!!!!!!!:clap2: -Debra 5.5cc in …

I thought I would share something that has really helped me. I started out at almost 300lbs (297 to be exact) and the thought of needing to lose 150lbs is VERY overwhelming, as most of you know. Instead of concentrating on the whole 150 I have broken up my goals into 10lb increments. Right now I am trying to get to 229, next it will be 219, then 209, etc. I know it's silly but it really has helped me feel like I am accomplishing something rather than looking at a huge task at hand.